Saudi women hike to Everest base camp for breast cancer awareness

A group of Saudi women will trek to Mount Everest’s base camp next month in a bid to promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles among Arab women to avoid breast cancer, the Saudi Gazette has reported.

The 10 women, who are either relatives of breast cancer victims or survivors themselves, will to hike to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal at an altitude of 5,400 meters.

The mountain climbers will leave on May 7 returning May 21, and will be accompanied by three crew members who will record their journey for a short film.

The team is urging other women to support their cause by walking for 15 minutes a day for 15 days during the journey time, posting their experiences on Facebook and Twitter.

The hike has been arranged Princess Reema Bint Bandar and the Zahra Breast Cancer Association under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the causes of breast cancer and to encourage all Saudi women to stay fit.

Mash'Allah! May they have a safe journey
I hope that Saudi Arabia will do more to promote health and wellness. Girls in Saudi schools do not have PE classes. Fitness facilities are few and expensive. Ladies only community centers should be established where exercise facilities, nutrition, health and wellness services are provided. I lived in Jeddah for 10 years and appreciate the severity of health issues in the kingdom.